JP2004173958A - Game machine and its game control program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a game machine such as a slot machine and its game control program providing a player with amusement of rich interest by diversifying cancellation modes of a stock state of a special symbol combination win. <P>SOLUTION: This game machine is so constituted that the cancellation of the stock time is determined based on a lottery result of whether or not stopping a specific symbol in a specific position, for example, whether or not stopping a center cherry in a left reel 7, in the winning of the specific symbol; allows the player to get a chance of the cancellation of the stock state by stopping the specific symbol in a specific position based on the stop operation of a player by controlling the stop of a stop pattern of the specific symbol in the specific position; and further increases the interest by diversifying the cancellation modes in the stock time game. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a gaming machine such as a slot machine and a game control program therefor, and in particular, for a predetermined period, for example, a gaming machine in which after winning a special game lottery in a bonus game, the special game can be carried over. It relates to the game control program.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In this type of slot machine, in order to eliminate the monotony of the game in which the winning special role is sequentially digested for each winning, even after the winning of the special role, the lottery of the special role is continued, and a plurality of special roles are continued. (See Patent Document 1).
[0003]
[Patent Document 1]
JP-A-2002-219214 (FIG. 4)
[0004]
In such a slot machine, when a plurality of special roles are won during a period in which the special role can be carried over (hereinafter, this period is referred to as a stock time), a relatively short number of game times is required. With this, it is possible to give the player a special role prize.
[0005]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
As described above, the transition to the winning of the special role carried over during the stock time can be executed by canceling the stock time, but in order to eliminate the monotony of the game, the length of the stock time period is usually One of multiple types has been determined by lottery. For this reason, when the stock time is released is not within the guesswork of the player, especially when the stock time is long, there is no frustration that a special role that seems to be carried over will not be won. As a result, there is a problem in that the sense of expectation for winning a bonus game is eventually reduced, and the interest is reduced.
[0006]
The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and has as its object to provide a slot machine that can diversify the release mode of the stock state of a special role election and can provide interesting and entertaining game characteristics.
[0007]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, the invention according to claim 1 displays a plurality of symbols variably in a plurality of columns and stops the variable display based on a player's stop operation, according to a winning combination by lottery. A variable display device that displays a combination of stopped symbols is provided, and it is possible to shift to a special game advantageous to the player by winning a winning based on winning a special combination and generating a specific symbol combination by the variable display device. A gaming machine capable of carrying over a special role that has been won in a predetermined carry-over possible period, wherein when a particular role is won by lottery in the carry-over possible period, the specific role symbol of the specific role is variably displayed. Specific combination stop position determining means for determining whether to stop at a specific stop position of the device by lottery,
When it is determined by the specific role stop position determining means that the specific role symbol is to be stopped at a specific stop position of the variable display device, the carryover possible period is ended, and a prize can be won by the winning special role carried over. And special control winning control means.
[0008]
According to the present invention, when ending the above-mentioned stock time (possible carry-over period) in the middle, it is performed based on the lottery result as to whether or not to stop the specific role symbol at the specific position with the specific role winning. When the variable display is stopped based on the player's stop operation, the player realizes that the specific combination symbol has stopped at the specific position and that the opportunity to release the stock state, that is, the chance of winning the bonus game has been obtained. In addition, the game goal of obtaining the stop of the specific role symbol during the stock time can promote the continuation of the game, and the stock time game such as whether the specific role symbol stops at a specific position or stops at another position. Can be diversified, and it can contribute to further increasing the interest. In order to prevent the notification of the special game transition from being confirmed when the stock position is released by stopping the specific position of the specific combination symbol, the lottery content of the specific combination stop position determining means includes the stock state. Even when the cancellation is not performed, a ratio for causing the specific position symbol to stop at the specific position may be given.
[0009]
In addition, the specific role of the present invention may be any small role to which a predetermined winning probability is assigned, but frequent occurrence of the end of the stock time affects the carryover of the special role. In order to obtain a proper release time, it is usually preferable to use a symbol having a relatively low winning probability than other small winning symbols, for example, a cherry symbol. In particular, if a symbol combination called a so-called single cherry is used, that is, a symbol whose winning combination is determined only by appearing in the variable display stopped first, for example, it is specified in one of the upper, middle, and lower tiers of the variable display. By setting the symbol stop position, it is possible to clearly notify the player of the cancellation of the stock time at the stage of the first stop operation. In addition, the special combination winning control means in the present invention corresponds to a bonus symbol pull-in stop control process for stopping a bonus symbol in accordance with a stop operation of the player so as to be able to pull in the bonus symbol according to the release of the stock time.
[0010]
The variable display device according to the present invention may be a normal reel device, a belt driving device having a belt-shaped design display unit, or a display such as a liquid crystal display.
[0011]
Also, in the invention according to claim 2, the specific role stop position determining means stops the specific role symbol at a specific stop position of the variable display device on condition that the number of carryovers of the special role is two or more. It is characterized in that a lottery is performed to determine whether or not to allow the player to make it.
[0012]
According to the present invention, on the condition that the number of winning special roles carried over during the stock time is two or more, the lottery for determining whether or not to stop the specific role symbol at the specific position at the time of the specific role winning is performed. Therefore, it is possible to provide a player with a chance to win a plurality of special roles based on a lottery result in which the specific role symbol stops at a specific position, thereby contributing to an increase in interest.
[0013]
Further, according to the invention described in claim 3, when the special game with the special role winning is completed, it is determined whether or not the winning by the special role can be won on condition that the winning special role being carried over remains. Special winning combination lottery means.
[0014]
According to the present invention, when the special game is terminated based on the stock position release trigger of the specific position stop of the specific combination symbol, if the winning special combination carried over remains, the lottery for the winning by the special combination is performed by the lottery. Since the transfer is also possible, by giving the player consecutive winnings of the special role based on the above-mentioned opportunity, the expectation can be increased and the interest can be increased.
[0015]
Further, the invention according to claim 4 is characterized in that when the special role winning lottery means enables the winning by the winning special role, the winning is enabled after execution of at least one or more games. I do.
[0016]
According to the present invention, even if the specific position symbol specific position stop state occurs, the process shifts after performing the normal game at least once without immediately shifting to the bonus symbol pull-in stop control process. Variations can occur in the timing of winning, thereby eliminating monotony. For example, using a game effect unit such as a liquid crystal display, an EL (electro luminescence), a dot matrix, or an audio alarm, etc., a sign effect of releasing the stock state or The notification can be made at the game stage before the transfer of the special role to the winning, and the diversification of the stock state release mode can be realized. The setting of the game stage before the transfer of winning can be realized by a plurality of transfer patterns by selectively determining a plurality of game times by lottery.
[0017]
According to the invention of claim 5, a plurality of symbols are variably displayed in a plurality of columns, and the variable display is stopped based on a stop operation of the player, thereby displaying a combination of stopped symbols according to the winning combination by lottery. A variable display device is provided, and a prize based on winning a special combination and generating a specific combination of symbols by the variable display device enables a transition to a special game advantageous to a player, and also wins a predetermined carryover period. A game control program of a gaming machine capable of carrying over a special role, wherein when a particular role is won by lottery in the carry-over possible period, a specific role pattern of the specific role is displayed on the variable display device. Whether or not to stop at the stop position is determined by lottery, and based on the result of the lottery, the specific combination symbol is displayed at a specific stop position of the variable display device. When it is determined that stop, it causes terminating the carryover period, and performs game control that allows winning by winning special combination that carryover.
[0018]
The present invention is a game control program for realizing the invention of claim 1 on, for example, game software, and is recorded on a computer-readable recording medium such as a CD-ROM or a DVD, or is stored in a terminal via an Internet line. And software that can be used depending on the mode stored in the server so as to be downloadable.
[0019]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of a slot machine to which the present invention is applied will be described with reference to the drawings.
[0020]
FIG. 1 is an external front view of the slot machine 1 according to the present embodiment. The front door 2 is openably and closably attached to a housing 6 having an open front side, and reel display windows 3, 4, and 5 are juxtaposed on a front panel 10 at the center thereof. Three reels 7, 8, 9 are installed inside. On the outer peripheral surface of each reel, a plurality of types of bonus symbols, small symbols such as cherry, bell, watermelon, and replay symbols are drawn. Three of these symbols are observed through the reel display windows 3, 4, and 5, respectively. The reel display windows 3 to 5 are provided with three pay lines in the center, three horizontal lines at the top and bottom, and two diagonal pay lines diagonally lower right and upper right. A game operation unit is provided below the front panel 10. The game operation unit is used to set three medal bets (bets) from the medal slot 11 and credit data in which the number of inserted medals is stored in advance. A max bet switch 12, a start lever switch 13 for instructing start of reel rotation, and stop button switches 14 to 16 for inputting an instruction to stop reel rotation are provided.
[0021]
A game-related information display section 20 for displaying game-related information is provided on the upper part of the front door 2. The game-related information display section 20 is composed of a liquid crystal display device or the like, and displays a bonus prize, displays the number of executions of a bonus game, the number of medals obtained, announces a winning flag (a bonus flag, a small role flag, etc.) by random number lottery, a specific game. Demonstration for attracting customers when the player is not playing while the player is not playing, displaying the mode display of the mode (such as the so-called assist mode, which notifies the winning small role in advance, so-called assist mode), and displays the slump graph, symbol arrangement, reach eyes, etc. The display is repeated together with the game machine model name, the description of the game content, and the payout table. It should be noted that the display of the slump graph, the symbol arrangement, the reach eyes, and the like can be appropriately switched based on a specific button operation (also used as a stop button switch or a dedicated button not shown) by the player.
[0022]
A lower panel 17 is attached to a lower portion of the front door 2, and a model name, an image design, and the like are printed on this panel. Further, below the lower panel 17, a medal tray 18 and a medal discharge port 19 for discharging a medal paid out from a medal hopper 26 (see FIG. 2) in the housing 6 to the medal tray 18 are provided.
[0023]
Next, a circuit configuration including a game control unit for controlling a game processing operation in the slot machine 1 of the embodiment and peripheral devices electrically connected thereto will be described with reference to FIG.
[0024]
The game control unit includes a microcomputer, and includes a CPU 23 that performs a control operation according to a preset program, a ROM 24 that is a storage unit of the program, and a RAM 25 that is a working area. The ROM 24 also stores a bonus time winning stock time control program according to the present invention and various tables used for setting stock time. The RAM 25 includes a flag stock area for storing the carried over winning bonus flag. The CPU 23 is connected to a clock pulse generator 27 that generates a reference clock pulse, and a random number generator 28 that generates random numbers to be used for game lottery and extracts an arbitrary random number from the generated random numbers. A random number lottery is performed by the random number generation unit 28 on condition that a medal bet or a medal is inserted for each game and when the start lever switch 13 is turned on. Then, when the rotation of the reels 7 to 9 is stopped by operating the stop button switches 14 to 16, the winning symbols stop in line with the reel display windows 3 to 5 in a timely manner, and the specific display contents arranged on the winning line are displayed. When it becomes, it becomes a prize and shifts to a special game state such as payout of prize medals and bonus games. The control objects to be controlled under the control of the CPU 23 include the stepping motors PM for rotating the reels 7 to 9, the medal hopper 26 for storing and discharging medals, the speaker 37, and various lamps 39 such as decorative lamps and reel backlights. And a game-related information display unit (liquid crystal display device) 20, which are respectively driven and controlled by a motor drive control unit 29, a hopper drive control unit 32, an audio output control circuit 36, a lamp drive control circuit 38, and a display control sub-board 35. Is done. The drive control unit, the drive control circuit, and the display control sub-board 35 are connected to the CPU 23 via a microcomputer I / O port. The display control sub-board 35 has a sub-CPU that appropriately controls display of game-related information in response to a command from the CPU 23.
[0025]
Further, the CPU 23 is connected via a microcomputer I / O port to a start lever switch 13 and an inserted medal detection sensor 40 for detecting a medal inserted from the medal insertion slot 11, and a reel rotation start signal and a medal insertion signal, respectively. A signal is input. Further, a rotation position detection signal of a rotation position detection unit 30 for detecting a reel rotation position by a reel rotation position detection sensor (not shown) including a photo sensor for detecting a rotation position of each of the reels 7 to 9 and a stop button switch 14 to A stop detection signal by the reel stop signal processing unit 31 that detects the 16 stop signals is also input. Further, as shown in FIG. 1, a credit / payment changeover switch 21 is provided in the game operation section. When the credit / payment setting switch 21 is set in the credit mode, a credit number display section 22 provided on the lower side of the front panel 10 is provided. , The number of credit medals is displayed, and instead of inserting medals into the medal insertion slot 11, the user can press the max bet switch 12 to bet three medals in one game. When the credit / payout switch 21 is pressed when the credit mode is set, the payment / payout of the credit medals is performed, and the mode becomes the manual insertion mode from the medal insertion slot 11, and when pressed again, the mode can be switched to the credit mode. The credit / payment changeover switch 21 is also connected to the CPU 23 so that such a mode setting signal is also input to the CPU 23. The CPU 23 also receives a discharge completion signal of a medal discharge completion signal processing unit 33 that determines the completion of discharge of a predetermined number of award medals by receiving a payout medal detection signal from a medal discharge sensor 34 provided at a medal discharge position of the medal hopper 26. ing. In the game control section having the above configuration, the main board on which the CPU 23 and other main control sections are mounted, excluding the external input means such as various detection sensors and the display control sub-board 35, is stored in a control box case. It is installed on the inner back surface of the housing 6.
[0026]
A stock time processing procedure in the slot machine of the present embodiment having the above configuration will be described with reference to FIGS.
[0027]
In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3, a bonus flag is set when a special role bonus (big bonus or regular bonus) is won in a normal game in which no stock time is set, and the stock time is set at this time. A lottery is performed (steps S1 to S3). This set lottery is performed based on a plurality of stock time tables, and the game shifts to a set number of stock time games (step S4). The stock time in the present embodiment is set by determining a game state in which the replay (re-game) winning probability is set to a higher probability than in the normal game, that is, by determining the number of replay times by lottery. For example, in a normal game, a replay is won with a probability of 1/7, but in a replay time, a player is won with a high probability of 1/2. Therefore, even if the bonus flag is carried over, the number of medals held by the player is reduced. Since it can be difficult, it is suitable for stock time. It should be noted that the stock time may be set by setting a game state in which the bonus prize symbol is not pulled in until the stock time release condition is satisfied, that is, a so-called kicking control is performed.
[0028]
There are two types of stock time tables, Table A and Table B. Table A selects a shorter stock period than Table B. For example, one of 30, 50, and 100 times is selected by lottery. The number of replay times is selected. On the other hand, in Table B, any one of 200 times, 300 times, and 500 times is selected. When entering the first stock time (step S4), the number of replay times is selected based on Table A. FIG. 4 shows a basic flow of the stock time setting process after entering the stock time.
[0029]
When in a replay time (hereinafter referred to as RT) state (step S10), table selection is divided depending on whether or not RT is canceled halfway (step S11). When the game is not canceled halfway, that is, when the normal replay time is ended and the game of the set RT number is completed, the stock time is set again. It is determined whether the number ST of the carried bonus flag at that time is an odd number, and the table A or B is selected, and then one of the RT times is set by lottery based on the selection table. That is, if the carry-over flag number ST is an odd number, the number of RTs is randomly selected by the table A, and if the carry-over flag number is an even number, the table B is selected (steps S12 to S14). If there is no carryover flag number ST (ST = 0), the process returns to the normal game with no stock time (step S12).
[0030]
When the RT is canceled halfway, that is, when the stock time is halfway finished (step S11), this occurs when the cancellation condition based on the single cherry winning described later is satisfied. In other words, when the single cherry is won, the stop position lottery of the left reel 7 is performed, and the stock time is released when the former central position cherry is won by the lottery of stopping at the reel center position or the so-called upper and lower corner positions. Then, the carried flag is released. According to the release determination of the carry-over flag, a pull-in control of a bonus symbol is performed, and a reel stop control state in which a bonus prize is easily generated is set. In the case where the stock time is canceled halfway based on the single cherry winning (hereinafter referred to as “cherry punk”), after releasing the bonus once, whether to release the stock bonus continuously is determined by 3/4. Lottery is performed with a high winning probability, and continuous bonus release is easily caused to improve gambling (step S15). In the case of continuous release, the number of short-time RTs based on the cherry table for bonus release is set (step S17). This cherry table is used to vary the number of games between bonus prizes and eliminate monotony, and is used to select any of 0, 5, and 10 RTs. If it is not a continuous release, the number of RTs is selected again based on Table A (step S16).
[0031]
Next, details of the cherry puncture process will be described with reference to FIG. It should be noted that, in the figure, for simplification of the description, operation input determination processing steps of the player and the like are omitted.
[0032]
First, when the stock time is not during the RT, that is, in the normal game without the stock time, a role lottery is performed for each game (steps S20 to S21), and a winning operation such as a single cherry is generated by the stop operation of the player. In this case, a predetermined prize medal is paid out (steps S20 to S25), or when a bonus prize is established, the process shifts to a winning game process of either a big bonus or a regular bonus (steps S23, S28, S29). The carry-over flag number ST is decremented by 1 due to the bonus prize (step S29). In the case of winning the bonus flag, as shown in step S3 of FIG. 3, the lottery for setting the stock time is performed, the winning flag is carried over, and the carry-over flag number ST is incremented by 1 (steps S22 and S46). During the normal game, even if the single cherry is won, the bonus flag is not carried over, so that the stop control is performed so that the corner cherry is always won (step S26). However, a bonus prize may be generated at the same time as a corner cherry prize, in which case the process proceeds to the bonus prize game process (steps S27 and S29).
[0033]
On the other hand, at the time of the stock time, the number of RTs is decremented by one for each game (step S30), and when the result of the subtraction becomes "0", the RT set number is completely consumed, and the RT is canceled, that is, the stock time ends. It is set (steps S30, S31, S37). During the stock time, the lottery is performed in the same manner as in the normal game (step S32). When the player wins due to the stop operation, a predetermined award medal is paid out (steps S33 to S36). When the bonus flag is won, carryover processing is performed (steps S33 and S46).
[0034]
When a single cherry is won during the stock time, a cherry punk process is performed (step S35). The stock time release condition based on single cherry winning in the present embodiment requires that a cherry punk with a 1/3 lottery probability be won on condition that the carry-over flag number ST is 5 or more. In other words, when the small winning combination of the single cherry is won, the cherry punk lottery is performed when the carry-over flag number ST is 5 or more, and the stop control of the central cherry is performed and the RT number setting is cleared when the winning is achieved. (Steps S39, S41 to S42). Steps S35, S39 and S41 to S42 correspond to the specific role stop position determining means of the present invention. As a result, a central cherry prize is generated based on a player's stop operation, and the player can feel that a flag release opportunity has been obtained by the appearance of a central cherry prize that does not occur in a normal game. In addition, when the cherry puncture state is set (step S43), the process shifts to a bonus symbol pull-in stop control process in which a bonus symbol can be pulled in according to a stop operation of the player. The bonus symbol pull-in stop control processing in the cherry punk state accompanying the cancellation of the stock time corresponds to the special role winning control means of the present invention. With the release of the stock time, after one bonus prize processing (steps S44 to S45), the release of the carried over flag is performed with a high continuous release probability of 3/4 as shown in step S15 of FIG. The likelihood of being obtained continuously is increased, and the player's expectation of winning a continuous bonus can be further enhanced. When the carry-over flag number ST is less than 5, or when the cherry punk lottery is not won, a corner cherry winning process is performed as in the normal game (steps S39, S41, S40, S36). Note that when the central cherry is internally won in step S42, even if the player falsifies the stop operation, the RT cancellation is executed regardless of the actual occurrence of the small winning of the central cherry, and the process proceeds to the bonus release. In addition, the cancellation of the stock time may result in a bonus prize when a replay with a high winning probability or other small role is not won, and the occurrence of the RT is canceled at this time although the probability of occurrence is extremely low (step S38). ).
[0035]
In each of the above embodiments, the case where the gaming machine according to the present invention is applied to a slot machine has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, slot gaming machines using pachinko balls, and other amusement machines You may apply to an apparatus.
[0036]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, when the stock time is released based on the single cherry winning, for example, the player can be stopped at a specific stop position such as the central cherry, thereby giving the player the stock state. It is possible to realize the occurrence of the cancellation opportunity, diversify the cancellation modes in the stock time game, and further increase the interest.
[0037]
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is an external front view of a slot machine according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a main configuration of a game control unit of the slot machine of FIG.
FIG. 3 is a schematic process flowchart for explaining a process of shifting to a stock time in the slot machine of FIG. 1;
FIG. 4 is a flowchart of a table selection process for explaining in detail a stock time setting process in the slot machine of FIG. 1;
FIG. 5 is a processing flowchart for explaining cherry punk processing in the slot machine of FIG. 1;
[Explanation of symbols]
7-9 reel

Claims (5)

A variable display device that variably displays a plurality of symbols in a plurality of columns and stops the variable display based on a player's stop operation, thereby displaying a combination of stopped symbols according to a winning combination by a lottery. Winning and winning based on the generation of a specific symbol combination by the variable display device makes it possible to shift to a special game advantageous to the player and to carry over the winning special role in a predetermined carryover possible period A gaming machine,
When a particular role is won by lottery in the carry-over possible period, a specific role stop position determining means that determines by lottery whether or not to stop the specific role symbol of the specific role at a specific stop position of the variable display device. When,
When it is determined by the specific role stop position determining means that the specific role symbol is to be stopped at a specific stop position of the variable display device, the carryover possible period is ended, and a prize can be won by the winning special role carried over. And a special winning combination control means. The specific combination stop position determining means may perform a lottery to determine whether or not to stop the specific combination symbol at a specific stop position on the variable display device, on condition that the number of carryovers of the special combination is two or more. The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein: Having a special role prize lottery means that, when the special game with the special role prize is finished, a lottery is performed to determine whether or not a prize can be won by the special prize, provided that the special role being carried over remains. The gaming machine according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: 4. The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein when the special role winning lottery means enables a winning by the winning special role, the winning is enabled after execution of at least one or more games. . A variable display device that variably displays a plurality of symbols in a plurality of columns and stops the variable display based on a player's stop operation, thereby displaying a combination of stopped symbols according to a winning combination by a lottery. Winning and winning based on the generation of a specific symbol combination by the variable display device makes it possible to shift to a special game advantageous to the player and to carry over the winning special role in a predetermined carryover possible period A game control program for a gaming machine,
When a particular role is won by lottery in the carry-over possible period, it is determined by lottery whether or not to stop the specific role symbol of the specific role at a specific stop position of the variable display device, based on the lottery result. When it is determined that the specific combination symbol is to be stopped at a specific stop position of the variable display device, game control is performed to end the carryover possible period and enable a winning by the winning special role being carried over. A game control program.

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